Drug dealer swallowed tablets to foil search
Derek Cooling (26) was jailed for five months after admitting sale or supply of drugs, as well as obstructing a search. (stock photo)
A father-of-two was caught drug dealing in a part of Dublin city centre where it was a "perennial problem".
Derek Cooling (26) was jailed for five months after admitting sale or supply of drugs, as well as obstructing a search.
Dublin District Court heard gardai on duty at Merchants Quay last August 28 saw Cooling, of Kilcarrig Avenue, Tallaght, in a drug transaction.
"Monies were exchanged" and the accused was seen handing a man a package.
As a garda approached, Cooling hid a number of items about his person.
Chase
The officer found Cooling with four deals of heroin and one of crack, worth a combined €80.
He also had €245 in cash on him.
Last September 5, gardai saw Cooling in another suspected drugs transaction.
He had a tray of tablets, and when officers app-roached to search him, he swallowed the tablets and ran off.
He was caught after a short chase.
Cooling was in custody and looked healthier now, his lawyer said.
"He's definitely put on weight," the prosecuting garda said. "Not in a bad way."